About

The Book of Unwritten Tales 2

$171,593

pledged of $65,000 goal

3,446

backers

tl;dr presents: The Summary

The next installment in the acclaimed BoUT-series will be unleashed beginning of 2015 and it will be filled to the brim with puzzles, eccentric characters and the trademark BoUT-humor. But we want to do more; more epic, more shiny, more community involvement, more... of everything!

Yet, to achieve this, we will need your bow. And your axe. And your pledge. And a rubber chicken with a pulley in the middle...

We love adventure games. The classic LucasArts and Sierra games are the reason why KING Art Games originally came to be. They are what started us on our journey.

The Book of Unwritten Tales 1 and The Critter Chronicles

BoUT1 tells the story of four heroes in a strange and wicked fantasy world. It is one of the most successful and critically acclaimed point-and-click adventure games of the last decade.

BoUT is a humorous homage to the fantasy worlds that have accompanied us all our lives. May contain traces of WoW, LotR, Harry Potter, The Hobbit, D&D, Discworld and many more.

The main game was followed by the stand-alone add-on "The Critter Chronicles", a prequel to the story of the original game.

Minstrels from all over the world sang praise and frolicked when they played BoUT1:

IGN 9/10: "You simply can’t ask for a better adventure game."

Kotaku: "[…] a showcase for a game type that many of us have lost track of."

Screw attack 9/10: "[…] reminds me why I fell in love with point’n’click games in the first place."

The Escapist 5/5: "Smart, funny, well-crafted and has tons of heart."

Adventure Gamers 4.5/5: "[…]an epic adventure […] with some of the most endearing game characters of all time."

The Book of Unwritten Tales 2

After "The Critter Chronicles" explored the past of our heroes, we wanted to continue the epic story of The Book of Unwritten Tales 1 and show their future adventures. But we have taken our time, because expectations are high – both our own and from the community.

BoUT1 was one of the biggest adventures ever to caress adventure gamers' eyeballs. BoUT2 will be just as extensive and will have even MORE characters, MORE music and a lot MORE animations.

In our humble opinion, these are the key ingredients for a great BoUT2 game:

A fantasy adventure story with about 20 hours of pointing and clicking

The trademark BoUT-humor, lovingly spoofing WoW, LotR, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Discworld, D&D, The Hobbit and many more

An ensemble of quirky characters, both well-established and hot off the drawing board

An epic soundtrack with many new compositions

There are more than 60 speaking roles in the game. Some of the characters are old acquaintances, but you will also meet a lot of new faces.

How and when will BoUT2 be made available?

Thanks to our brothers in arms at Nordic Games, the core game is already fully funded and will be released beginning of 2015.
It will be out on PC, Mac, Linux, in English and German, and there will be a DRM-free version available (boxed and digital).

In fall 2014 we will make the game available chapter by chapter via Steam Early Access. All backers who have pledged $25 or more automatically have the opportunity to receive the game via Steam Early Access for free.

The full game consists of five chapters, each with a playtime of around 3 to 4 hours, so just like BoUT1 it will be one of the biggest adventure games out there. It will be big and it will be wicked. But we would love to push it even further – and that’s where you come in.

There are many things that are common in big games, but usually aren’t done in adventure games, because they are too costly for a niche genre. Everyone has come to terms with that. But how about we collectively ignore this so-called fact?

These are the four things we would like to achieve with your help:

BoUT 2 Enhanced & Kickstarter-Edition ($65,000)

Projection-Mapping: Legend tells of a clever technique that makes the locations in the game look even better and allows for more dynamic camera movements. Yet the system requirements remain untouched. It's real world magic.

Kickstarter-Edition: We will create all the rewards, including the limited "Kickstarter-Edition" of the game, featuring a special box, a high-quality artbook, the soundtrack and a BoUT mouse pad. This edition will only be available during the crowdfunding phase. Other rewards including a Critter plushie and a Critter puppet, posters and additional in-game assets.

Side-quests & Outfits ($95,000)

Side quests: Similar to RPGs there will be optional puzzle chains besides the main puzzles, that you can choose to solve, but don't have to.

Outfits: For solving side quests you will receive not only achievements, but also pieces of clothing that characters can equip, and that you can combine in different ways to create unique outfits.

Live long and customize! These concept arts show some ideas by Marvin, our Master of the Concept Art. In the final game, the outfits will reflect the corresponding optional quest.

Production blog, Behind-the-scenes & Orchestra recording ($145,000)

Production blog & Making-of Videos: We will hire another brave warrior who will be responsible for creating a production blog and regular video updates, so that you get an exclusive insight into the development process of an adventure game. At least one blog post per week, at least one video per month.

Orchestra recordings: For the first time several of Benny Oschmann's much-loved music tracks for the game will be recorded with a live orchestra.

The production videos would feature in-depth behind-the-scenes material

BoUT 2 - Director's Cut ($235,000)

Orchestra Recordings - The Return of the Orchestra: The complete soundtrack of the game will be recorded with a live orchestra. Our composer Benny Oschmann will cry one tear of joy for each pledge given.

More animations: We will incorporate more special, context-dependent animations.

More facial expressions: We'll give the characters in the game a wider range of facial expressions, so they can even express complex feelings like bitter-sweet love-hate.

More "shots": We will integrate additional camera angles and close-ups into the game, so you can truly savor the wider range of facial expressions.

For "The Raven" we were able to record ONE piece of music with a real orchestra. With your help we could do much more!

The Fellowship of Unwritten Tales

KING Art is an independent game developer from Bremen, Germany. We've been in business for 14 years and have successfully developed more than 40 games.

In early 2013 we started our first Kickstarter campaign for our turn-based strategy game "Battle Worlds: Kronos". Battle Worlds was released with German punctuality and offers everything we had promised (and more). Since its release in November last year we are working on the game with the community and will keep improving it in the future.

The development of Battle Worlds was a great experience. We hope to be able to repeat it with our second campaign!

We Support Crowdfunding

We think the idea of crowdfunding deserves to be supported. With our last game, Battle Worlds: Kronos, we joined Brian Fargo's initiative "Kicking it forward". This means we invest 5% of the profit we make with Battle Worlds: Kronos back into the crowdfunding community. We've supported dozens of games so far and looking forward to support other developers even more this year.

Many of us have worked together for years - oddly enough we still like each other.

I want to join your quest!

Great! We are trying to let the community participate in the development process as much as possible. If we reach the third stretch goal, the "Behind-the-Scenes" coverage will get a whole new dimension (hopefully not a Dungeon Dimension). There would be a staff member exclusively responsible for keeping you, the backers, up to date!

FAQ

What languages are supported?There will be at least an English and a German version (voices & subtitles). But we hope we'll be able to ship several languages more (subtitles).

Can I get a Steam/GoG key?We're planning to release the game on Steam and GoG. If both agree and provide us with keys (they did in the past), we will let you choose which one you would prefer.

When will the game be released again?If you pledge more than 25 USD, you receive the full game upon release beginning of 2015 (as a box + download, or just as a download, depending on the pledge-level you choose). For the download-version you can choose between the Steam-Version or the DRM-free version. All boxed versions are always DRM-free.

How does the Steam Early Access work again?If you pledge more than 25 USD you also have the chance to participate in the Steam Early Access phase starting in fall 2014 and get the game chapter by chapter before the full release. The key for the Steam Early Access version of the game will of course also unlock the full game once it’s released. So if you want to give us early feedback about the game, or simply play it as soon as possible, opt into the Steam Early Access and watch The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 grow.

Why should you pledge? Because they buried LucasArts and now it is up to others to carry and look at and use the torch. And because with your help we can push the boundaries of the so-called niche-genre we all love.

Do I have to play BoUT1, to understand BoUT2?There are of course a lot of references to the original game, but the story of BoUT2 can be enjoyed independently from what previously happened in the world of BoUT. And hey, there is still plenty of time to play the original, and it's well worth it.

Legal

German law shall apply to the exclusion of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.

Risks and challenges

Will we be able to finish the project? Yes, absolutely.
- This is our fourth adventure game, the second with the current technology.
- The team has worked together for years and proven its willingness and ability.
- We know how to make projects of this scope work and have proven that once more with "Battle Worlds: Kronos".

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 35 or more
About $35

DIGITAL SPECIAL EDITION - Includes the Standard Edition of the game, plus the digital soundtrack, a digital "Making of"-book and an extended manual (PDF). You also receive access to our developer forum.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 55 or more
About $55

DIGITAL BOUT PACK - You receive the "Digital Special Edition" of BoUT2, plus the "Digital Special Edition" of BoUT1 and the stand-alone add-on "The Critter Chronicles" (= 3 games!). You also receive access to our developer forum.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $90 or more
About $90

LIMITED KICKSTARTER EDITION - Exclusively here and now. The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 in a majestic box, including the printed extended manual, a high-quality printed making-of book, the soundtrack on CD, a BoUT2 mouse pad. You can also download the game and get a Digital Special Edition of BoUT1 and The Critter Chronicles (3 games altogether). And you will be mentioned in the credits of the game! You of course receive access to our developer forum.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 100 or more
About $100

COMPLETE KING ART PACK – You receive the „Digital Special Edition“ of BoUT2, plus the „Digital Special Edition“ of BoUT1, The Critter Chronicles, The Raven and Battle Worlds: Kronos (=5 games!). You also receive access to our developer forum.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 150 or more
About $150

COMPLETE KING ART & PIRATE PACK – You receive the "Digital Special Edition" of BoUT2, plus the "Digital Special Edition" of BoUT1, The Critter Chronicles, The Raven and Battle Worlds: Kronos (= 5 games!). Also your "pirate name" (e.g. Caaarl “Salty Dog” Jones) will be featured as a signature on a petition inside the game. You also receive access to our developer forum.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $160 or more
About $160

LIMITED KICKSTARTER EDITION WITH CRITTER PLUSHIE - Exclusively here and now, step right up! The "Limited Kickstarter Edition" PLUS a Critter Plushie to hug and kiss and love forever (Or you can punch it manly against its shoulder and hug it when nobody's looking). Also a "Thank you"-card with original autographs from the developers and an additional Digital Special Edition (4 games all in all). And of course, access to our developer forum.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $185 or more
About $185

LIMITED KICKSTARTER EDITION WITH HAND PUPPET - Exclusively here and now. The "Limited Kickstarter Edition" PLUS a Critter hand pupped (bigger than the plushie). Also a "Thank you" card with original autographs from the developers and an additional Digital Special Edition (4 games all in all).

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

SUPERFAN PACK - You receive the "Limited Kickstarter Edition with Critter Puppet". Also a BoUT2 poster with acknowledgement and autographs of the developers. And above all, your name will be in the game! Your offenses and pranks as a student will be recorded in the papers of the Seastone Mage School where they can be read by all players. Plus, access to our developer forum.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 260 or more
About $260

FUR-LOVERS DOUBLE CRITTER PACK - The "Limited Kickstarter Edition with Critter plushie” PLUS a Critter hand puppet (=1 Plushie, 1 Puppet). Also a "Thank you" card with original autographs from the developers and an additional Digital Special Edition (4 games all in all). And of course, access to our developer forum.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 400 or more
About $400

DIGITAL "YOU IN THE GAME" PACK – You receive the "Complete KING Art & Pirate Pack" PLUS the concept artist of the game will digitally draw you as a BoUT character and the drawing will be featured in the game. (see ART PACK; you will receive a digital hi-res file of the drawing, that you can print out yourself) You also receive access to our developer forum.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

ART PACK - You receive the "Superfan Pack" plus an additional poster (other motif).
Furthermore Marvin Clifford, the concept artist of the game, will digitally draw you as a BoUT character and the drawing will be featured in the game. The drawing will also be sent to you as a high-quality print including a personal dedication from Marvin. Plus, access to our developer forum.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 1,000 or more
About $1,000

MAKE IT RAIN - You receive 15 copies of the "Digital Special Edition" of BoUT2, 15 copies of the "Digital Special Edition" of BoUT1 and 15 digital copies of "The Critter Chronicles". A lot of gifts to spread the joy of playing BoUT to those you hold dearest! Your benevolence will also earn you a special mentioning in the credits of the game. And access to our developer forum.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 2,500 or more
About $2,500

MEET THE TEAM - You receive the "Superfan Pack", a BoUT2 bag and you will meet our team at the GamesCom 2014 in Cologne, Germany, have dinner with us and spend a wonderful evening with the team! Food, drinks, admission tickets and hotel costs are on us. You only have to pay for the journey. And access to our developer forum shall be yours.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $3,000 or more
About $3,000

THE BIG ONE - You receive the "Superfan Pack", a BoUT2 bag and a life-size Critter plush giant. Towering over 100 centimeters high, this pink furry beauty will protect your home from burglars and unexpected Godzilla-attacks and is only available right here, right now. So step right up and get them while they are still ridiculously oversized!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 5,000 or more
About $5,000

BEHIND THE SCENES - You receive the "Superfan Pack", a BoUT2 bag and you will accompany us for one day of development of BoUT2. You can either visit us in Bremen (Germany), or maybe you are interested in experienceing a session of the voice recordings in Berlin (German) or London (English)? Or maybe you want to watch the orchestra recording session (if it is funded)? You can choose from several options where and when to meet us. Food, drinks, and hotel are on us. You only have to pay for the journey to your chosen destination. And you will most definitely get access to our developer forum.